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Dinner for Schmucks

3/10

Stars: Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Stephanie Szostak, Zach Galifianakis, Lucy Punch, Bruce Greenwood, Jemaine Clement, David Walliams, Ron Livingston, Kristen Schaal

Director: Jay Roach

A Hollywood remake of the overrated French 1990s' comedy Diner de Cons. Tim (Rudd) finds himself in with the in-crowd at work after having some bright ideas. He's invited to a dinner in which he and all his colleagues must bring along an eccentric idiot for a partner.

Tom finds his ' schmuck' in the shape of Barry (Carell with fake teeth) who makes tableaux composed of dressed-up dead mice.

Words cannot describe a comedy so unappealing tha best option seems to be to go to sleep. Rudd bats valiantly for the home side, but he's not only short and untalented but lacks any kind of personality. Carell is just annoying. The rest of the cast would be best at home at Madame Tussaud's. It does liven up a bit towards the end when the actual dinner of the title takes place, but's it's a long and painful journey to get there.

Making Marmaduke and this, I fear, does not constitute a stellar start to the likeable Walliams' Hollywood career.

David Quinlan

USA 2010. UK Distributor: Paramount. Colour by deluxe.
114 minutes. Not widescreen. UK certificate: 12A.

Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 0, Violence/Horror 0, Drugs 0, Swearing 1.

Review date: 29 Aug 2010